December 13, 2005

MORE BIG TRADES ON THE HORIZON, BUT NOT FOR MANNY, TEJADA

      Certainly the just completed winter meetings were a huge success for baseball.  Much was accomplished during those three unseasonably cold December days in Texas, and teams that went into the sessions with an open mind to be active were just that.  As I wrote before the meetings began this season’s off-season gathering of general managers, agents, et al, would likely separate the contenders from the pretenders.  However, it appears as if these meetings simply whetted our appetite as some huge deals were discussed, and even if they weren’t consummated interest remains high in many baseball locales over what might occur next.

       The biggest fish out there remains Boston slugger Manny Ramirez.  Tired of the constant attention in Boston (poor fellow) Manny has requested a move to a more tepid environment (how about retirement?).  The caveat for Manny is the gargantuan contract that holds him back from supposed freedom (once again, poor fellow).  It is unlikely that such a burdensome contract can be moved without the Red Sox getting fleeced in a player(s) exchange.  The same can be same for unhappy Baltimore superstar Miguel Tejada.  Unhappy with the progression the Orioles are taking (this is Peter Angelos’ club—why is he surprised) Tejada has asked to be moved out of town.  The O’s, however, are loathe to move their one true superstar and will attempt to convince their shortstop that all is well, and to be patient.  Good luck with that, Miggy.  You will have to learn to be content playing on a fractured and indolent ball club and getting paid twelve mill to do so. (How many times can I say poor fellow?)

       There are two major league clubs--one from each league—that made the dramatic acquisitions necessary to catapult up the baseball ladder into probable contention.  In the American League the Toronto Blue Jays—long dormant in these matters-- are on the cusp of being able to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the mega-dollar payrolls fielded by Boston and New York.  After signing a closer (B.J. Ryan) the Jays managed to ink this year’s prized free-agent pitcher (A.J. Burnett) during the meetings.  The signing brought with it the expected amount of criticism for a pitcher carrying a mediocre career record and being given such a high dollar figure.  Of course there is a risk (there’s a risk with everything attempted in life) but the upside for Burnett is limitless.  His career development rivals that of Randy Johnson who was also thought, at a similar stage, to be an underachiever.  But Johnson, who did not begin to hit his stride until he turned thirty, went on to win five Cy Young awards during the next decade and is a sure-fire hall-of –famer.  Burnett, 29, is at a stage in his career where the Jays could be getting a pitcher just about to break free from the reins of mediocrity and begin to put up the numbers befitting his ability. 

       The Jays also traded for Lyle Overbay, and while this one particular hitter will not cure their many offensive woes it is a start.  With a plethora of pitching readily available to deal the Jays still sit in a strong position, and when Texas finally stops asking for the moon (Orlando Hudson) those two teams will feed each other’s needs.  The Rangers will get Miguel Batista and reliever Brandon League, and the Jays will receive outfielder Brad Wilkerson.  One more bat to follow and the Jays could possibly enter next season as a favourite to win their division—after all the Sox and the Yanks seem content to merely spin their wheels

       In the National league the New York Mets have built an impressive roster with Yankee-like spending.  They added a slugger (Carlos Delgado) to solidify their middle of the order, a closer (Billy Wagner) to fortify their bullpen, and a catcher (Paul LoDuca) to stabilize that position.  After last season’s signings of Carlos Beltran and Pedro Martinez, and the quick growth of future all-star third baseman David Wright the Mets look to be on the verge of finally ending Atlanta’s long reign of dominance in the division.  The holes remaining on the Met roster lie at second base, with their bullpen depth, and with an aging starting staff.  If they can address those concerns before the beginning of the season they could possibly challenge St. Louis as the NL’s best club.

       At the other end of the spectrum are the San Francisco Giants.  Stubbornly refusing to believe that their aging roster is long past its contending days the Giants went out and spent big money on Matt Morris.  The Cardinals weren’t too concerned about losing Morris simply because they believe that this is a pitcher on the decline.  Without a solid defense behind him and a strong offense to support him Morris will likely struggle to be a .500 pitcher—not what the Giants are forking out $9 million per year to receive. 

      While discussing bonehead moves let’s discuss the Tigers and their decision to sign every cameraman’s best friend, Kenny Rogers.  How desperate must you be to acquire pitching when you give a 40-year-old soft tossing mentally challenged lefthander two years at $8 million per.  This move simply shows why some teams just never contend.  And what possessed the formerly parsimonious Oakland A’s to sign perennial underachiever Esteban Loaiza to a three year contract at $8 mill per year?  Are they that desperate for pitching?  And why would the Yankees think that soft-minded Kyle Farnsworth would be able to survive in the Bronx Zoo?  It’s the return of Andy Hawkins for New York.

       There’s little doubt that the ownerless Washingtons will have to acquiesce to newly acquired slugger Alfonso Soriano and plug him into second base.  This, of course, makes loyal soldier Jose Vidro expendable.  Anybody looking for a quality second baseman? 

       Some things to look for—Roger Clemens will re-sign with Houston after May 1.  The Rangers will realize that Vincent Padilla is not their answer in the rotation.  A bunch of former all-star sluggers, Mike Piazza, Nomar Garciaparra and Frank Thomas will sign one-year contracts with hopes of rejuvenating their careers.   All, however, are nearly done.  Kevin Millwood will sign one of those Burnett-like contracts and will help some club, likely Seattle, to improve.  Julio Lugo will end up in Boston—and the Red Sox thought Edgar Renteria was a lousy fielder.  The Phillies will make a big deal to acquire pitching, the Red Sox will feel compelled to re-sign Johnny Damon, and the Yankees will need to do something to quiet their critics—and it will likely be the wrong thing. 

       Oh, and who will be the big name we will constantly hear about over the next month?  That would be super agent Scott Boras.